The Tycoon's Seductive Revenge(13)

You can’t do this . The words sounded weak in her mind.

He pulled her tight against him. She felt heat and desire pouring off him in waves.

She knew what would happen if they gave into this pounding lust, driving them closer to the moment when he’d lay her down, taste her body, seduce her soul. And satisfy the craving she didn’t want to deny.





Chapter 4





Carter’s blood sizzled in his veins. He wanted Ellie with a powerful lust he hadn’t known since the last time he held her in his arms.

He stroked his hand down her back to her hips, nudging her closer. His tongue claimed her mouth, relentless thrusts that weakened her resistance. When her hands slid up his chest and circled his neck, he wanted to peel off his shirt so he’d feel her fingertips against his skin.

“Yes,” he groaned.

Every nerve-ending on fire, he couldn’t catch his breath. He knew what would happen next.

But she wasn’t ready to give him what he wanted. She might succumb to his seduction, but she hadn’t reached the point of abandon. He wanted her to burn for him, with need so excruciating it transcended sexual passion and entered the realm of consuming obsession.

Then he’d lay her down, touch and taste every inch of her. Remind her of what she’d given up when she forced him out of her life. He’d bring her to ecstasy over and over until she finally surrendered her unattainable heart.

Soon .

Knowing that, he scraped up the will to release her. His tongue retreated, and he slowly pulled his lips from hers.

Light from the utility closet beneath them outlined the edge of her face, revealing a dazed sparkle in her eyes. She pressed her fingers to his mouth, as if she could recapture the kisses he withdrew.

“Carter,” she whispered.

The sound of his name on her lips filled him with anticipation, nearly shattering his resolve. Somehow, he managed to let her go and step away.

Instantly her chilly reserve returned. “I-I can’t remember where the blueprints are,” she said, icing her tone with indifference.

Her attempt at detachment told him how far he’d gotten under her skin with his kiss. “Shouldn’t be that hard to find. It’s not like there’s tons of old junk to dig through,” he said wryly. The place was packed to the dormers with furniture and boxes.

After three steps, Ellie tripped over a lamp. The antique piece crashed into the darkness and something shattered. “Crap!”

Carter caught her and laced his fingers through hers. “Careful.”

“It could be valuable.” She tried to tug her hand free, aiming to go after the demolished fixture.

“Easy, sweetheart. I don’t want you ending up with shattered glass in your hands, bleeding all over the place.”

By the sound of her exhale, she wasn’t amused. “You know what? I think I’ll wait for you in the utility room.”

“And miss the adventure? Not a chance.” He tightened his grip so she couldn’t get away. They edged through the dusty space, avoiding furniture and miscellany that probably dated back to the Civil War.

Carter bent down in places where the roof sagged with age and stepped over missing floorboards, guiding Ellie carefully. They made their way through the shadows toward an eve that sliced diagonally through the center of the long room.

“If there are zombies up here, this is where they’ll be. Lurking in the blackest corners.” His voice dipped low and spooky. “Foul beasts in the night. Starved for our souls. Waiting for us to get caught in their trap, never to be heard from again.”

“Quit it!” She jabbed his ribs. “I hate creepy places—you’re not helping.”

Grinning devilishly, he let out a demonic laugh.

She snorted. “Okay, that sounded more like The Count from Sesame Street .”

He hung his head in shame. “So much for my aspirations of terror and mayhem.”

“Yeah, you’re really not cut out for the dark side.”

You think that now, sweetheart. But when I get you naked, I’ll do things to you that’ll keep you up in the middle of the night, waiting for me to visit you in darkness .

To Ellie, he lamented aloud, “Go ahead, crush my dreams. That’s fine. Really, I’ll live.”

She giggled. “You have many impressive qualities. Humility isn’t one of them.”

He halted. When Ellie bumped into him, he caught her and murmured, “I can show you what I’m good at.”

Pressing his lips to her neck, he felt her pulse racing. She cleared her throat. “I think we’d better find those blueprints and get out of here.”

“You ruin all my fun,” he teased, nuzzling the side of her neck before he released her.